For 100 years, laughter has echoed across the water, sunscreen-slicked afternoons have stretched into golden evenings, and generations of families have gathered in one shared place built on summer memory.
The Rosedale Beach Club is marking a rare milestone this year, its centennial anniversary, celebrating a century of recreation, community and the kind of tradition that outlives trends, seasons and even time itself.
What began in 1925 as a local gathering place has grown into something far larger than a pool or a property. For many families, it has become a second home in the warm months, a place where childhoods are shaped, friendships are formed at the water’s edge and summers are measured not in dates, but in memories.
From its earliest days, the club was built on a simple idea: Create a space where the community could come together. A century later, that vision still holds.
Behind the gates of Rosedale Beach Club is more than a pool — it’s a living archive of community life.
According to board president Danielle Scott, 52, who grew up on Maple Avenue in Rosedale and spent her childhood at the club, the atmosphere remains deeply rooted in family and tradition. She describes the club as a “very tight-knit community,” where memberships often span generations as families continue returning year after year.
“Generations of kids have grown up here. I grew up here; my kids grew up here,” Scott said.
Longtime members often describe the club not just as a place they go, but a place they return to year after year, decade after decade. Children once learning to swim in the shallow end now bring their own children back to do the same.
One of those families is that of Laurie Churchel Lesoon, whose family represents five generations of membership at the club, a testament to the deep roots many local families have established at Rosedale over the past century.
The oldest member of the club is 93, reflecting the enduring connection many residents have maintained with the organization.
Scott called the club’s 100th anniversary “pretty monumental.”
Over the years, the club has weathered generations of change in the region, adapting while still holding on to its identity as a neighborhood anchor.
That community spirit was on display May 23 during the club’s centennial opening celebration, which featured remarks from Penn Hills Mayor Pauline Calabrese and Oakmont Mayor Sophia Facaros. Verona Mayor Dave Ricupero was recognized for his support, but he was unable to attend because of prior commitments.
The celebration also honored longtime volunteer Mary Chirdon, whose dedication and service have helped sustain the organization for generations.
Chirdon has been part of the Rosedale Beach Club community for 37 years, serving as coach, treasurer and CPO on the board. Her three children, now 49, 31, and 36, grew up at the club, and her granddaughters continue the tradition when they visit.
She emphasized that one of the club’s greatest strengths is the people behind it.
“It is a strong group of dedicated people who care on the board and the members who care about the pool,” she said, crediting that commitment for keeping the club thriving for so long.
For Chirdon, the club also is defined by its everyday moments. When asked about her favorite snack bar food, she said it’s “a toss-up between the chicken wrap and the chicken fingers,” adding she hears “the burgers are amazing” and the food consistently receives no poor reviews.
But for her, the real heart of Rosedale is the people.
Her favorite part is “seeing the smiley faces of the members” and watching “the children pick up right where they left off every summer with their summertime friends,” even when those kids attend different schools and only reconnect at the pool.
While the water and facilities are the most visible part of the club, many say its real foundation is the people who keep it running.
Lifeguards, managers and volunteers work behind the scenes each summer to ensure safety, organization and a welcoming environment for members. Many of the lifeguards are high school and college students who also are longtime members themselves, creating a strong camaraderie between staff and families.
For staff, the job often is more than employment — it’s part of a tradition that stretches back decades.
The club hosts a variety of activities throughout the year, including summer camps, monthly movie nights, splash parties for children, bingo events and a large fall festival that draws significant volunteer support from the community. Veterans and first responders are admitted free during Fourth of July weekend celebrations.
The annual fall festival serves not only as a community event but also as an important fundraiser. According to Scott, donations and festival proceeds help fund updates and maintenance around the facilities, while memberships cover the operational costs of the pool.
Members also have access to amenities including volleyball courts, pickleball courts, a sandbox area and a members-only rentable pavilion. The club’s snack bar features food from Chef Deez Catering, another familiar part of the summertime experience for many members.
Scott also emphasized the importance of the club as a gathering space for children from different backgrounds and school systems throughout Penn Hills.
“It is a fantastic place to grow up and have your kids,” she said, describing it as a place where children from both private and public schools can come together, spend time outdoors and connect away from screens and phones.
The club also is home to a competitive swim team, the Rosedale Rockets, continuing a longstanding tradition of youth athletics and recreation.
While the present-day club is full of activity and life, its origins remain an important part of its identity. The property itself includes two to three homes within the grounds, one of which is currently occupied by a former board member.
Scott noted the club was unable to receive historic designation status after renovations were made to the bath houses over the years.
Still, much of the club’s character and history remains intact.
“The pool looks good for 100 years old,” Scott joked.
As Rosedale Beach Club enters its second century, the celebration is not only about looking back, but also about what comes next.
With each summer season, a new group of members steps into a tradition already 100 years in the making, continuing the story, one swim at a time.